Uniting in Strength and Love after the Orlando Shooting

Posted on Jun 15, 2016

In the wake of the tragic shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, we at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society grieve for the senseless harm, the lives lost and the ignorance, hatred and intolerance that brought it about. We stand in resilience, committed to supporting the LGBTIQ community. We are inspired by the broad call to focus on love and compassion as we unite contemplative practices, education, and social action in order to make this a more just and compassionate world for all. By fostering greater awareness of what influences each of us personally, interpersonally, and systemically, we can all take the first steps toward uniting in strength and love, working toward a society that respects and embraces our common humanity and collective dignity.

Here are personal reflections from some of CMind’s staff and board. We invite you to leave your own reflection in the comments.

After attending with excitement the Washington DC Pride parade and then learning with shock of the terrible tragedy in Orlando, and after viewing with tears the funeral of Muhammad Ali, I am compelled to say something to express my, sadness, anger, memories and the promise of a contemplative mind.

The DC Pride joyfully expressed a collective act of love and community and was a wonderful example of humanity, of differences that belong together. Then came the Orlando massacre, reminding me that there are too many hateful tragedies both here and abroad that beg for a contemplative process for deepening understanding of difference and disagreements and for revealing ways of loving action.

Muhammad Ali’s interfaith funeral brought thoughts of his inspired bravery and his contemplative motivation. I played “hooky” for the first time when my friend and I cut our high school classes to see Ali speak at Stanford University after he was stripped of his boxing license and title for denouncing the Viet Nam war and refusing to enter the US Army. He was amazing. He was inspirational, and his defiance emboldened me to not register for the draft several years later. The Nation of Islam grounded Ali’s contemplative practice inside and outside of the ring while propelling his activist resistance with authentic and courageous moral leadership. Like many of the survivors and supporters of Orlando, Ali’s life demonstrated a powerful sense of loving action.

– Brad Grant, Chair, Board of Directors

I would like to list the names and ages of those whose lives were taken. As I read each name, I reflect on the beautiful potential and promise we each carry within us, and I re-dedicate myself to strength and tenderness.